Is the reply a reflection of where our western Christmas
culture has evolved (or digressed) to?

Perhaps both.

My first reaction is “what a sour puss!”

But then, as I moved to my next exercise, I thought about it
more.

A couple of days prior to Christmas, I noticed the level of
stress rising amongst the masses. Little
things like impatience getting cars around parking lots and off at green
lights.

Ah, yes. The green light race. If you don’t get off the brake and on to the gas in .01 seconds, someone behind you will let you know that is not acceptable.

We all must hurry off to spread Christmas cheer, now get out of the F****** way!

In my generation, our parents worked so hard to create a
special time at Christmas. We had gift
exchanges of course, but also took time to see the Christmas lights, visit with
family, enjoy beautiful meals, get some spiritual time at church, give to those less fortunate and generally
pressed pause on our lives to give thanks.

That was the essence of the Christmas spirit then, and what we try to instill with our son. Spending time with those close to us is still cherished.

It seems with the constant connectivity and drive through mentality, that seems to be lost. The day after Christmas in Canada is Boxing Day. Historically, this is when the rich gave boxes to the less fortunate hundreds of years ago. Growing up, it was a 2nd holiday almost. A day of rest.

In 2019, it represents a massive rush to the stores to get
special shopping deals. Visuals of people battling for discounted items run
rampant on social media.

The expectation of Christmas seems to have changed.

It seems the expectations around gifts have risen form many.

I guess if you let it, it can get expensive.

I still think that is one’s perspective to view it as a negative time.

I think, and will continue to think that Christmas can be and is so much more than just a financial strain.